Winston4134

Hi I have the above car and am original owner. I have a slow leak in my coolant and was told that the engine has to be pulled to relace the coolant hose. The cost $8000. My car also needs its 160000 mile tuneup and they suggested another timing belt. I have 140000 miles on my car. what is any advice. Thank you

FrenchToast

You should ask for more specifics from your mechanic. It may be a turbo coolant pipe or a heater core pipe. A new timing belt is isn't a bad idea; depends when it was last done.

The below section is for your car, although you may get more response in the B5 S4 section (same engine).

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/a6-...-discussion-7/

Winston4134

Hi French Toast, you seem honest. my coolant leak is a coolant line on leftbank. i know the hose is rubber with metal on otherside . they suggest replacing all heater and coolant hoses cause of age . they want 5330. for labor and 3000. for parts. also timing belt would be 2276 and i have a upper radiator hose and green coolant temp sensor leaking. they want 1319. do these prices seem reasonable? the place is not a dealership Thank you

FrenchToast

Do you live in a desert climate where rubber dry rot occurs more frequently? Otherwise, I wouldn't see any need to replace all the coolant and heater hoses, unless they are cracked or otherwise leaking. If a hose is leaking, certainly replace it.

Timing belt work seems high. Is this an Audi specialist shop? Been a while since I priced those things but timing belt is fairly straightforward if the mechanic has worked on these V6s; I would guess 500 for the parts and 8hrs (~1000 depending on your region) for the belt and waterpump labor. Make sure they use a good brand waterpump (Audi ones are discontinued) and fill with the factory G12. I would guess another 500 for the upper rad hose temp sensor - easily replaced when the vehicle is in service position and coolant drained for timing belt service. The only unknown is this leaking coolant hose - is it the turbocharger coolant hose?

See here:

https://www.audiworld.com/forums/aud...ispreloading=1